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If you want to self-harm

Whether you sometimes think about self-harm, or you’ve already hurt yourself, we’re here.

We're here to listen. No pressure, no judgement.

For every 10 calls we answer, one is about self-harm. And many people call us because they want to avoid harming themselves in that moment.

Call us for free on 116 123

More about calling us

Getting the support you need

Seeking help is an important first step, and the NHS recommends that if you’re self-harming you should start by talking to your GP.

If you have hurt yourself and need immediate medical attention, the quickest way to get support is to call 999 for an ambulance. We can call an ambulance for you, if you want us to.

Your GP should take your self-harm seriously. You can read more about what your GP can do to help you here. Remember, you can always to speak with a second doctor if you think you’re not being offered the support you need; your GP surgery should be able to advise you how to go about this.

It can be helpful to ask a friend or family member to accompany you to the appointment to give you extra support.

I want to hurt myself. How can Samaritans help me?

Samaritans is here for anyone who is going through a difficult time, and many of our callers talk to us about self-harm during emotional support calls. Whatever you’re facing, we’re here to listen without judgement or pressure, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Call us

Whatever you're going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

Benefits

  • Free
  • One-to-one
  • Open 24 hours a day

Maybe not if...

  • You have patchy phone signal
  • You prefer to write things down
  • You're looking for advice

Call us any time, day or night 116 123

116 123 Call us any time, day or night
Find out more

Write a letter

Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you better understand them.

Benefits

  • Free
  • Time to compose your thoughts
  • Time to reflect between letters

Maybe not if...

  • You need urgent support right now
  • You have no fixed address
  • It's hard for you to post a letter

Write to us

Chris

Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK

PO Box 9090

STIRLING

FK8 2SA

Write to us Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA
Find out more

Email us

Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand them better.

Benefits

  • Time to compose your thoughts
  • No need to respond right away
  • Work things through over time

Maybe not if...

  • You need urgent support right now
  • You want to talk things through in one go
  • You want to speak to the same person throughout

[email protected]

Response time: 24 hours

[email protected] Response time: 24 hours
Find out more

Welsh language

If you would like emotional support in Welsh, we have a Welsh Language Line which is free to call. We also have a letter writing service in Welsh.

Call now 0808 164 0123

0808 164 0123 Call now
Find out more

Self-help app

Keep track of how you're feeling, and get recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better and stay safe in a crisis

Benefits

  • Free
  • Work things through in your own time
  • You don't need to speak to anyone if you're not ready

Maybe not if...

  • You need urgent help right now
  • You want to speak to a volunteer
  • Your internet connection is unreliable

Try Samaritans Self-Help

Launch the app
Try Samaritans Self-Help Launch the app
Find out more

Practical ways to help yourself cope

If you're struggling, or feeling low, these steps could help

Will you tell anybody I’ve self-harmed?

We won’t ever tell anyone about our conversation, or even that you called, unless you ask us to.

We won't call emergency services, except for in these circumstances:

  • You ask us to, and you’re unable to call for yourself
  • You’ve already told us your address, location or phone number, and then become incoherent or unconscious during the call
  • You’re in one of our branches, and you’ve harmed yourself in a way that puts you in danger at that time.

Useful support information

We know it can be difficult to know where to go for help.

This list includes some of the other support services that are available, both online and in-person, and should provide a useful starting point.

Support organisations in the UK

Childline (18 years and under)

0800 11 11

Free help and support for children and young people in the UK

www.childline.org.uk

Mind (England and Wales)

0300 123 3393 / [email protected]

Advice, support and information around mental health issues including self-harm.

www.mind.org.uk

The Mix (25 years and under)

0808 808 4994

Free help and support for children and young people in the UK. Support available 7 days a week 4:00pm - 11:00pm

www.themix.org.uk

NHS 111 (England, Wales and Scotland)

111

Health. 111 is free from landlines and mobiles.

www.nhs.uk (England) www.nhs24.com (Scotland)

SAMH (Scotland)

0141 530 1000 / [email protected]

Mental health information and signposting to local services (not a listening service or suitable for people in crisis.

www.samh.org.uk

If you are looking for a professional counsellor (who will usually charge for their services), you can contact BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) on 01455 883300. They also have an online directory.

You may also find it helpful to take a look at the NHS apps library. This is a list of apps vetted by the NHS to ensure they’re based on good evidence. You can search for self-harm apps and there are a large number on mental health.

In the Republic of Ireland as in the UK, the HSE recommends that you see your GP if you are self-harming.

You could also contact the organisations below.

Support organisations in the Republic of Ireland

Aware

1800 804 848

Aware aims to create a society where people with depression are understood and supported, are free from stigma, and have access to a broad range of appropriate therapies to enable them to reach their full potential. 10am–10pm.

www.aware.ie

Childline

1800 666 666 (under 18’s only, freephone)

01676 7960 (Parents can ring)

Part of the ISPCC (The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). There is a telephone service and there is an online and mobile phone texting service. 24hrs.

www.childline.ie

Grow

1890 474 474 (Lo-call number)

Mental health organisation which helps people who have suffered, or are suffering, from mental health problems. 9am–2pm Mon–Fri.

www.grow.ie

Jigsaw

Jigsaw projects across Ireland work with communities to better support young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The Jigsaw programme has been developed and supported by Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. See their website for local Jigsaw projects.

www.jigsaw.ie

Pieta House

1800 247 247 (freephone)

Provides a specialised treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or who engage in self-harming behaviours. They also provide support and help to people bereaved by suicide.

www.pieta.ie

Emma's story

The reasons for self-harm are complex, but it is a sign of serious emotional distress. It is possible to stop self-harming. This is Emma’s story.

I want to kill myself

Suicidal thoughts can be complex, frightening and confusing.

Talk to us on the phone

Whatever you're going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

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Samaritans is a charity registered in England and Wales (219432) and in Scotland (SC040604) and incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (757372). Samaritans Ireland is a charity registered in the Republic of Ireland (20033668) and incorporated in the Republic of Ireland as a company limited by guarantee (450409). Samaritans in Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland (SC009843) and incorporated as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Samaritans Enterprises is a private limited company (01451175).